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Organization from Germany posted this Technology Call

In Personal Care products, synthetic polymers (e.g. Polyacrylates) are mostly - but not exclusively - used as thickening agents. Already small quantities (< 1%) enable the formation of a gel network, which is most desired for the product handling and appearance, as well as the sensorial properties. Since most synthetic polymers are not biodegradable, they may fall under the scope of being a microplastic and could therefore be imposed to labeling in nearby future. This threat is most unwanted by personal care companies and their suppliers, which in turn results in a growing interest for green alternatives. Currently used biopolymers (e.g. Xanthan Gum, Cellulose, etc.) do not show the same performance as their synthetic acrylate-based counterparts. Same is valid for green polymers, which are based on biorenewable monomers (e.g. glycerol, sebacic acids, etc.). At the moment, the skin feel and the viscosity building properties of these bio- and green polymers do not meet the requirements of the broad market, and remain thus rather a niche product. Despite the huge interest of the industry in green alternatives, successful candidates are a rarity, due to numerous technical and commercial hurdles. It is therefore most important to find partnerships with universities, start-ups, or well-established companies, which may lead to the development of new biorenewable building blocks and technologies.
Seeking new biodegradable building blocks and technologies for green polymers

Organization from Germany posted this Technology Call

Waxes are typically make up of linear or branched-chain hydrocarbon chains and can contain polar functionalities like e.g. ester or amide groups. Their importance has been well recognized, especially with the growing demand of modern consumer products like packaging, cosmetics and pharmaceutical. Plant-based or renewable waxes are also gaining favor in recent years due to higher sustainability compared to fossil based waxes. We are seeking sustainable green oxidative cleavage process that can convert renewable ester waxes, like rice bran wax and sugar cane wax, to similar end products obtained by conventional processes. Many oxidative cleavage processes are already established in the industry, but not many are eco-friendly. Furthermore, with the shifting focus from fossil waxes to plant-based waxes, alternative oxidative technologies do result in chemically different products from different plants. Here the company is keen to explore modern bleaching technologies or to work with technology-partners with bleaching experiences on renewable materials. The company is open to partners from any country and to a variety of cooperation. Research cooperation agreements with research organizations might yield into publications or consequent R&D contracts. Depending on the stage of technology readiness, an out-licensing of the process is possible or a joint venture might be a way to further develop for feasibility studies for a pilot scale up.
Seeking eco-friendly bleaching and oxidative cleaving process for waxes